I’m not all about upscale eateries with tasting menus. I also adore casual restaurants with delicious comfort food and affordable prices. I found the perfect place for this kind of meal, Le Chick at 310 NE 24th street in the heart of Wynwood, Miami.
This 4,700 square foot gastro style pub has an industrial-chic atmosphere, with concrete floors, an open kitchen, dim modern lighting, a pink neon sign, and art installations, complete with a fabulous outdoor patio space, with a retractable roof to boot. It is a much more inviting, sophisticated atmosphere than I was expecting. Part cocktail bar part restaurant, owners Coco Coig and Jorge Sandez discovered this concept in Amsterdam at a place called Rotisserie Amsterdam. They brought this idea back to Miami. I thought I’d be walking into a fast-food chicken joint. But instead, it was more of a casual upscale dining experience. You know they are serious about the food when you see two green egg smokers in their open kitchen, plus a rotisserie grill.
The menu has a section called Dig in, where I had a Le Chick street corn in a truffle aioli, manchego cheese, pickled fresno and micro cilantro which was so tasty. They also offer things lime crispy green falafel, tuna-Gasm with avocado smash, and spicy/sweet brussel sprouts plus their famous crispy buttermilk fried chicken thigh with spicy maple syrup 🇨🇦, and homemade ranch dressing. From the Earth section, there is a selection of salads and burrata, you can add a protein to any of them, like chicken breast, grilled salmon or skirt steak. From the Between the Bread section, you can try the dry-aged brisket, veggie burger, pulled bbq pork bun, Maine lobster roll, or their famous fried chicken bun, with crispy buttermilk fried chicken thigh, bibb lettuce, house pickles, and homemade ranch dressing on a homemade brioche bun. I asked for a side of maple syrup, you know it was the Canadian in me. This comes with a choice of skin-on fries, spiced sweet potato fries or coleslaw. There is an add on section of things like avocado, fried egg, cheese, bacon, truffle, jalapeño or caramelized onions, brilliant! Then there is the Smoked Kissed section, with things like the rotisserie chicken, salmon, baby back ribs, octopus and skirt steak. All the meat and fish are finished on the green egg. There are a number of sides to choose from as well. Executive Chef Ernesto Tapia is cooking up a whole lotta love. And the best-kept secret is happy hour – if you come Monday to Friday between 3:30-6:30, they have the best deal in town. Full-size portions of some of their best items at a fraction of the price. So a $17 fried chicken bun sells for $10. Or the street corn regular $9 for $5. Even a handful of drinks on the happy hour list. My sangria was only $5. The regular list offered a nice selection of wine, cocktails, and beers. The cocktails are named after different breeds of chicken, like mother cluckers, and the fowl play.
They played a nice selection of background music, and from Thursday to Saturday, a DJ plays for your entertainment.
Le Chick takes their chicken seriously and you can tell in every bite you take. They source high-quality ingredients. The service tends to become a little slow the busier the restaurant becomes, but I am hopeful they can work this out.
Open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner and a late-night crowd, Le Chick is a unique addition to the Wynwood scene.
Recommend.
Happy dining,
Shanea